I'm walking the talk. 

In 2015, I founded Team Superstars for Children's Minnesota -- marrying my passions for running and making a difference. It's been one of my greatest joys, this team. Trying to inspire people to go the extra mile for the most amazing people on earth. Their impact has been remarkable. More than 200 runners have donned the Team Superstars tank and raised nearly $400,000. 

A distance runner myself, I struggle every time Team Superstars has a race whether to lace up my shoes alongside them or stay on the sideline to be their cheerleader. I want to support our athletes. The best way I think to do that on race day is to make sure each one of them reaches the finish line and feels like a rockstar along the way. 

In the 11th hour, I learned one of our athletes would be unable to run the TC 10-mile on Sunday, Oct. 7. Entry into the lottery-only race is highly coveted. But those on our wait list had either found another way into the race or wanted to wait until 2019 to go the extra mile. 

So I decided to walk the talk. I took her spot. I haven't raced in a year. If it's a good week, I run three days and usually three miles at most. I'm not the runner -- by choice -- I used to be. 

Not only am I running, I'm raising money for the most vital needs at Children's. As an employee and, more importantly, the mom of a patient, I know the critical role philanthropy plays. We turn no family away, regardless of ability to pay. We provide unique services that never show up on a bill but are essential to care. We do extraordinary, mind-blowing things, like genomics and surgery on babies before they're even born!

I hope you'll support me and my undertrained body as I walk the talk and go the extra mile for the most amazing people on earth with the most amazing team on earth.